Abstract: The invention describes transdermal vaccines which contain ultrasound responsive particles comprising a polypeptide shell. The surface of the particle has one or more indentations which are generally able to entrap a gas bubble. The particles are capable of generating inertial cavitation on exposure to ultrasound. The particles can be delivered transdermally, and can comprise antigen protein and/or adjuvant within the particle structure. The particles are therefore useful in methods of vaccination using transdermal delivery routes.

Abstract: The invention describes vaccine compositions containing particles having a polypeptide shell and a water-immiscible core. The polypeptide shell may comprise one or more pathogenic antigen proteins and/or one or more adjuvant polypeptides. Administration of the composition generates an immune response to the polypeptide contained in the shell. Adjuvant may be comprised in the water-immiscible core of the particle. The particles are therefore useful in methods of vaccination.

Abstract: The invention describes particles having a polypeptide shell. The polypeptide shell comprises at least one immunomodulatory polypeptide. Particles may be ultrasound-responsive particles, providing the ability to administer particles trandermally, or deliver particles to selected sites by use of ultrasound. Administration of the particles generates immunologic response to the polypeptide in the shell of the particle. The particles are therefore useful in methods of immunotherapy.

Abstract: A perfusion system for the extracorporeal perfusion of an organ comprises a perfusion fluid circuit (100) for circulating perfusion fluid through the organ, oxygenation means (104) for adding oxygen into the perfusion fluid and having an oxygen inlet (126), an oxygen concentrator (140) having an oxygen outlet (144), a plenum chamber (148) connected to the outlet of the oxygen concentrator and to the oxygen inlet of the oxygenation means, a flow control valve (160) arranged to control the flow of oxygen from the plenum chamber to the oxygenation means, and a controller (166) arranged to control the flow control valve (160) thereby to control the rate of flow of oxygen to the oxygenation means (104).

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging cavitation in a subject volume of a subject comprises a plurality of transducer elements, and control means.

Abstract: A passive compression wave imaging system comprises an array of sensor elements arranged in a sparse array and a processor arranged to: store a plurality of samples of the output from each of the sensor elements over a sample period; derive from the stored samples a value for each of a set of image pixels; wherein for each of the image pixels the processing means is arranged to: define a plurality of different sets of weights for the elements of the sparse array; calculate a component of a pixel value from each of the sets of weights and the stored samples; and sum the components of the pixel value to produce a final pixel value.

Abstract: A pressure wave system comprises a plurality of modules (200). Each module (200) comprises a plurality of pressure wave transducer elements, and connection means (216, 218, 220) operable to connect the modules together in each of a plurality of different configurations. The modules can form a transmitter array having a plurality of different shapes each associated with one of the configurations.

Abstract: A method of at least partially removing the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc comprising the nucleus and an annulus surrounding the nucleus is described. The method comprises the steps of: insonating the nucleus with ultrasound thereby to cause at least partial fragmentation of the nucleus; and extracting at least part of the fragmented nucleus. A system for performing the method is also described.

Abstract: A sensing system for sensing the condition of an object comprises a transducer arranged to generate pressure waves directed at the object and detection means, such as a pressure wave detector, arranged to detect cavitation or other processes in the object. The system further comprises processing means arranged to receive detection signals from the detection means, to process the detection signals to measure a signal parameter of the detection signals that varies with a parameter of the object, and may generate a sensor output that varies in response to changes in the signal parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound system comprises a transducer, a controller arranged to generate control signals arranged to control the transducer to generate pressure waves directed at a target volume, and sensing means arranged to sense cavitation in the target volume. The controller is arranged to receive sensing signals from the sensing means and to vary the control signals in response to the sensing signals thereby to control the cavitation.

Abstract: A passive compression wave imaging system comprises an array of sensor elements arranged in a sparse array and a processor arranged to: store a plurality of samples of the output from each of the sensor elements over a sample period; derive from the stored samples a value for each of a set of image pixels; wherein for each of the image pixels the processing means is arranged to: define a plurality of different sets of weights for the elements of the sparse array; calculate a component of a pixel value from each of the sets of weights and the stored samples; and sum the components of the pixel value to produce a final pixel value.

Abstract: A method of at least partially removing the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc comprising the nucleus and an annulus surrounding the nucleus is described. The method comprises the steps of : insonating the nucleus with ultrasound thereby to cause at least partial fragmentation of the nucleus; and extracting at least part of the fragmented nucleus. A system for performing the method is also described.

Abstract: An acoustic separator comprises: two parallel chamber walls defining a separation chamber therebetween, each chamber wall defining one side of the chamber; inlet means through which fluid can flow into the chamber; and outlet means through which fluid can flow out of the chamber. One of the chamber walls includes a transducer arranged to transmit pressure waves across the chamber towards the other of the chamber walls which in turn is arranged to reflect the pressure waves to set up a standing wave in the chamber. The outlet means defines an opening in one of the sides of the chamber.

Abstract: A sensing system for sensing the condition of an object comprises a transducer arranged to generate pressure waves directed at the object and detection means, such as a pressure wave detector, arranged to detect cavitation or other processes in the object. The system further comprises processing means arranged to receive detection signals from the detection means, to process the detection signals to measure a signal parameter of the detection signals that varies with a parameter of the object, and may generate a sensor output that varies in response to changes in the signal parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound system comprises a transducer, a controller arranged to generate control signals arranged to control the transducer to generate pressure waves directed at a target volume, and sensing means arranged to sense cavitation in the target volume. The controller is arranged to receive sensing signals from the sensing means and to vary the control signals in response to the sensing signals thereby to control the cavitation.